{"id":627321,"date":"2026-10-11T12:30:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/627321\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T12:30:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:30:34","slug":"chicago-lubavitcher-sells-half-of-kosher-deli-chain-for-1-1-million","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/627321\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Lubavitcher Sells Half of Kosher Deli Chain for $1.1 Million"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago-born Lubavitcher Moshe Zalman Olive sold a 50% stake in Zalman\u2019s, his American-style kosher hot dog chain in Israel, in a deal valuing the growing franchise at about $2.3 million. Full Story, Video<\/a> <\/p>\n

By COLlive reporter<\/p>\n

A Lubavitcher entrepreneur who built an American-style kosher hot dog chain in Israel has reportedly sold a 50% stake in the business, valuing the young franchise at an estimated 7 million shekels \u2014 roughly $2.3 million.<\/p>\n

Moshe Zalman Olive, a Chabad chassid originally from Chicago, sold the stake to Kameri Kimona\u2019ut, the owners of the Sabon Express convenience store network, for an estimated 3.5 million shekels (about $1.14 million), according to a report in ynet. He founded the chain in Jerusalem alongside two fellow Lubavitchers.<\/p>\n

Zalman\u2019s currently operates 12 branches, including at Tel Aviv\u2019s Azrieli mall and in Kiryon, Haifa, and Ra\u2019anana, according to ynet. The chain has become popular among the Haredi crowd in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem, and new branches are reportedly planned for Elad, Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit, and Modi\u2019in Illit.<\/p>\n

The Menu<\/p>\n

The hot dogs are produced by Jerusalem\u2019s Galat Of factory under mehadrin kashrus, the report said. The signature \u201cboutique\u201d line includes the Chicago Blues, the Tripolitana Merguez, and the New York Krekers.<\/p>\n

The menu also features corndogs, beef and chicken skewers, deli-style toasts, schnitzel sandwiches, onion rings, sweet potato fries, and a lineup of house spreads \u2014 from garlic mayo and tahina to relish and three mustards. Meal deals include a cholent-and-hot-dog combo and a family deal.<\/p>\n

Asaf Kameri of Kameri Kimona\u2019ut told ynet the goal is to expand aggressively in the Haredi sector: \u201cBy the end of the year, 20 branches are planned, with a target of about 40 branches across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the company spotted a growth trend in kosher fast food and wants to bring \u201cZalman\u2019s unique American experience\u201d to new audiences nationwide \u2014 American deli sandwiches, corndogs, corned beef sandwiches, schnitzels, and \u201csurprising American snacks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Story Behind It<\/p>\n

For Olive, the deal is the latest chapter of a story that began with childhood memories of American hot dogs.<\/p>\n

In an Instagram interview posted by @aliyah_to_jerusalem earlier this year, he recounted selling his Chicago business and moving to Jerusalem \u2014 and how his wife agreed on three conditions: fewer preservatives and nitrates, all-meat hot dogs, and kedushah.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how do we put kedushah connected to Zalman\u2019s?\u201d he said. \u201cOne way is \u2014 you\u2019re wearing my tzitzis, okay? Another way is the hechsherim that we have \u2014 they\u2019re all high-quality hechsherim, which allows us to invite all types of Israelis to our restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about his own favorite item, he admitted: \u201cI love the chips. I take a chip, I can\u2019t stop, which is obviously a problem, based on my diet.\u201d<\/p>\n

And what does he love about Jerusalem? \u201cIt\u2019s the holiest place in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cZalman\u2019s was born from a real love of the American hot dog and the memories of taste, smell, and childhood experiences,\u201d Olive told ynet after the deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe partnership with Kameri Kimona\u2019ut lets us take what we\u2019ve built and turn it into a chain that will reach a much bigger audience across all of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n


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